Thirukkallil or Thirukkandalam, Chennai

In this post, I will introduce you to a place in Chennai, which is not known even to most of the Chennaiites. Thirukkallil, also known as Thirukkandalam, is a calm and unpolluted village located at around 40 kms from Chennai. You need to take the Periyapalayam route to reach this village from Chennai. This village is at a distance of approximately 10 kms from Periyapalayam. The village has an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is considered as the 18th among the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams (274 most important temples of Lord Shiva) located in the Tondai region.

Highlights:

• Sambandhar has revered the temple in his verses in Devaram.
• God - Thirukkaleeswarar or Shivanandeeswarar
• Goddess - Ananda Valli
• Sthala Vruksha (Holy tree) - Alari (Oleander Plant)
• Teerth (Holy water) - Nandi Teerth
• Considered as one of the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams

Legend:

The temple has a lot of legends associated with it. In the beginning, Shiv Linga of the temple was in the midst of Kalli trees, and hence he was named as Kalleeswarar. The saint Bhrigu worshiped Shiva amidst the kalli trees in this site and Lord Dakshinamurti, along with Shakti appeared to him. Hence, in this temple, Dakshinamurti is found along with his consort, which is unusual. 

There is also another legend about this temple. When Lord Shiva and Parvati got married at Mount Kailash in the north, all Devas and Asuras gathered there. Hence the land in the north was dipping. Shiva ordered the saint Agastya to go to the south to balance it out. The saint camped near this temple, and Shiva gave Shiva Ananda darshan (appeared in a specific pattern) to the saint to compensate him for not attending the wedding. Hence the presiding deity is also known as Shivanandiswara in this temple.

There is one more legend, according to which, after fighting with Lakshmana and Rama, Ram's sons Kusha and Lava took a dip in the river that flows through this village. Hence the river is known as Kushasthalai.

It is believed that Nandi created the temple tank. Hence, it is called Nandi Teerth.

History:

The temple appears to have been built in the 12th century CE. The inscriptions from the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagar emperors are found in the temple. They belong to the 12th century to the 15th century CE. 

Temple Layout:

The east-facing temple has a beautiful five towered Raja Gopuram (tower) and a tank in front of it. 
The principal deity of the temple is Shiva Linga named Thirukalleeswarar or Shivanandeeswarar. Facing his shrine, the bali peetha, flagstaff and Nandi idol are found.

The Goddess Anandavalli is seen in a separate shrine. 

Natana Ganapati, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are found as the Koshta (niche) images. 

The Vimana of the temple is of the Gajaprshtha architecture style.

There are other idols and sub-shrines found in this temple, such as Nalvar, Surya, Hanuman, Sundara Vinayaka, Kalathinathar (Shiva Linga), Bala Subramanya, Chandikeshwara, the unusual Shakti Dakshinamurti, Bhairava and Navagrahas. 

Go and visit this unusually calm and beautiful village and well-maintained temple. If you like, take a dip in the clean tank. Enjoy!

Happy travelling.

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